Signaling device.



Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

INVENTOR.

" mula I ATTORNEY BY {i E. F. FOSTE *SLGNAUNG DEVICE.

' ,APPucAmN HLED DE M v a m V EDWARD F. FOSTER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

SIGNALING BEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Rev. 26, 1918-.

Application filed December 7, 1916. Serial No. 135,59$.

following is a specification.

My invention relates to signals which are used at the rear of a motor vehicle for the purpose of indicating the proposed movements thereof to the driver of a following vehicle. There is a clearly noted and increasing use of closed motor vehicles in inclement weather and especially in the winter time, and with these it is ditiicult and in anany cases impossible to give the usual manual indications. It is the object of my invention to provide a simple and eiiicient means by which mechanical signals may be given in connection with the usual red or warning light, the operation thereof being within easy reach of the driver. It relates to the construction of the shell of the lamp, as well as of the indicating device, so that a multiplicity of parts is avoided and -a simple and inexpensive construction provided. Itv also prpvides means for lighting the number plate from the same lamp in whatever position the. direction element may be placed.

The principles of my invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which I igure 1 represents a front view of my improved signaling apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a section thereof on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '3 isa face view of the dash case and control lever; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of Fig. 3 on the line 4.4. H

Further describing my invention with reference to the drawings: 1 is the body or casing of a tail lamp, provided with the usual red glass illuminating face 2. indicating danger. and having the curved rear portion 3, provided with reflecting surfaces 4. A direction indicating member 5 is extended at one side of the lamp body or shell. The inner face of the rear portion 6 should have a reflecting surface 7,'and the front portion 8 is inclosed by glass or mica which may be white or any desired. color, in which in contrasting color may be placed an arrow 9 or other direction indieating device. A sleeve 12 is extended backardly and has its longitudinal axis in alinement with the longitudinal axis of the lamp.

A foundation piece 13. adapted to be sccured by screws lat, or other suitable means to the vehicle has a tubular extension 15 whose external diameter is snch that the sleeve 12 will fit thereover and rotate readily thereon. A mechanical n ams of rotating the lamp and direction indicator may be provided by the pulley 16. mounted on the inner end otslceve l2 and provided with grooved faces 17. Around this pulley and in the groove thereof are wrapped control cables 18, which may be carried through a suitable conduit 19 to a corresponding pulicy 20, inclosed in the box 2i, which should be placed on the vehicle dash or olhcr place convenient to the operator. The pulley 20 is actuated by means of a handle 21). oui Side the Case. and a limit to its movement is furnished by means of a big 2 and recesses 25. The lug is formed on the lever 2 and is adapted to be moved into any one of the spaced recesses 25 formed in lhoi'ront face of the. box 21. it hould be noted that. if desired. elecirical devices of well-known character may be substituted for thc nie-' chanical means described. I prefer to light the inner portion of the lamp by an electric globe 30. placed therein and mounted on a socket 31, supported by the tube 15. This also provides a moansior illumina ing a numbered license plate. as shown in i. As there are four positions in which the indicator may be placed corrcspoiuling openings 32 are placed qiuulrautallv about the body of the lamp in -such -1 av ilini in any one of the indicating positions the license plate will be illuminated through the adjacent opening. a

It will be seen that as the handle 3 is moved. rotating the pullev 20. correspond-- ing motion will be commnnimdcd to the pulley 16. thereby rotating the lamp bod v. and causing the extension to be rotated with it. If the two pulleys are madc of corresponding size and the cables properly adjusted thereon the position of the handle will at all times indicate a corresponding position of the direction indicating element.

1' claim:

1. A signaling device comprising a lamp casing. a sleeve rigid Willi and extended rearvardly from said casing, a stationary tubular mounting for and extending through said sleeve, a lighting device within the lamp casing supported by said stationary tubular mounting, a direction indicator carried by and extended laterally from the lamp casing; and means for rotating said sleeve.

2. A signaling device including a support, a tubular extension formed on said support,

a sleeve rotatably mounted on said exten- 10 sioin a lamp casing. a hollow direction indicatin; member formed with and extending laterally from saidlamp casing, said lamp casing having a central opening in its rear wall in'whieh is secured one end of the sleeve. a pulley secured to the other end of the sleeve adjacentthe support, and-means wound upon the pulley whereby said casing indicating member and sleeve may be simultaneously rotated.

3. A signaling device Including a support having a central opening, a tubular extension formed on and extending horizontally from one side of said support and having its bore concentric with the central opening thereof, a sleeve rotatably mounted upon said extension and having one end abutting ,the support, a lamp casing, a hollow direction indicating member formed integrally with and extending laterally from said casing, the rear wall of said casing being Secured centrally to the free end of the sleeve, a pulley secured to'the sleeve adjacent the support, and flexible means wound upon the pulley whereby the sleeve lamp casing and indicating member may be simultaneously moved.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, this .28 day of Nov. 1916.

EDWARD F. FOSTER! 

